This blog began through a NIFA grant for Missouri Beginning Farmers. It continues today as a way for beginning farmers to learn about new ideas and to hear about upcoming events of interest. It is maintained by Debi Kelly (kellyd@missouri.edu).

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As an Extension Associate with the University of Missouri, I work with beginning farmers, small farms, alternative agriculture and organic farming. I am also the Co-coordinator for the Missouri Sustainable Agriculture and Research (SARE) Education Professional Development Program (PDP).

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Organic Certification Cost-Share Now Available

The
Missouri Department of Agriculture signed a cooperative agreement with
USDA-National Organic Program (NOP) on June 13, 2014 to implement the
certification cost-share program. Under the cooperative agreement, the state
Department of Agriculture has agreed to review applications from certified
Missouri organic producers (crop, wild crop or livestock), processor and
handlers of agricultural products who obtained certification under the National
Organic Program (NOP). MDA then disperses the available funds to qualified
applicants. Applications for cost share funds are reimbursed in the order they
are received, until funds are exhausted or the eligibility period ends,
whichever comes first.

All of the organic cost share information
is now online.
MDA has about twice the funds available than in the past. The window for
2013-14 funds is short.

Frequently Asked Questions

The
following questions and answers should be helpful in your application process.

1.To qualify, does my farm or company have to be
located in Missouri? Yes.

2.What kind of costs will the program reimburse? Application, inspection and certification costs - but
not late fees.

3.How does MDA determine my eligibility? You must have a copy of your current organic
certificate.

4.How much am I eligible for? Payments to eligible producers, processors and
handlers will be limited to 75% of each certification, class of certification
and renewal cost up to a maximum of $750.

5.How do I apply? You
must submit four items:

6.Does certification from any certifying agency
count? You must have received organic
certification from a USDA-NOP accredited certifying agency. If you have
questions about the accreditation status of your certifier, call your certifier
or check the NOP website for more information.

7.What if I am certified as a producer and a handler? If you have different kinds of certification (producer
- crop, wild crop and livestock, processor or handler), you qualify for more
than one cost-share payment. You must submit separate and complete applications
for individual certifications. However, some agencies will list them as
classifications on the same certification. These do not have to be broken out
as individual applications.

8.When is the application due? Since funds are limited, we will process applications
in the order they are received and payments will be issued on a first come,
first served basis. The program will continue until all funds are exhausted or
the eligibility period ends.

9.What about privacy? Under state law, if requested, we must provide
demographic information including your name and address. We do not release
social security numbers or payment amounts.

11.Will this program continue in the future? Missouri expects to exhaust the federal and state
cost-share funds each year. Whether the program continues or not will depend on
the actions of the U.S. Congress and the state legislators.

12.What if I have questions? Contact a Missouri organics marketing specialist at
(573) 522-4170 or Charlie.Hopper@mda.mo.gov.